Pecan nut, a fruit known to be superior to walnut in quality has good scope for its cultivation among Naga farmers.
The nut, which can help cut heart disease and reduce the risk of cancer has been grown on trial basis at the Itiben nursery-cum-study centre in Khatkhati, Assam, a few kilometers away from Dimapur.
Pecan nut trees planted a few years ago on trial basis by Maj. Harvansh K. Sharma (retd) has started to bear fruits.
Sharma, who is married to a Naga, had brought the saplings from Solan in Himachal Pradesh with the hope that he can help grow them among Naga farmers. It is reported that the present rate of Pecan nut is around Rs 300-350 per kg.
According to news report in the Daily Mail, eating pecan nuts can lower the risk of developing heart disease or cancer, say researchers.
A study showed their naturally occurring antioxidants help reduce inflammation in the arteries. The nuts are particularly rich in one form of the antioxidant vitamin E called gamma-tocopherol, and its levels in the body doubled eight hours after eating pecans.
Besides the commercial edible nut that it produces, the pecan provides food for wildlife. Pecans are an excellent multipurpose tree for the home landscape by providing a source of nuts, furniture-grade wood, and esthetic value.